Did Jesus really rise from the dead?
The best explanation of the facts most historians accept, His death by crucifixion, the empty tomb, the appearances and the sudden faith of His followers and of sceptics like James and Paul, is that He rose.
Alternative theories each explain one fact and fail on the others: hallucinations do not empty tombs, a stolen body does not make sceptics believe, and a man who survived crucifixion would not inspire worship. Paul said everything rests on this event.
3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (WEB) · context
14If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:14 (WEB) · context
20But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20 (WEB) · context
The empty tomb The appearances
Why the evidence matters
If Jesus rose, His offer is real
God loves you and gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish.